Raw To Ready: Mack Truck

Airs Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 10 p.m. on KPBSTV

Credit: Courtesy of Hoff Productions

Above: Black truck.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Courtesy of Hoff Productions

Wiring for cab.

Courtesy of Hoff Productions

Mack engine ready for install.

Explore the science, innovation and sheer genius it takes to transform the most basic ingredients into powerhouse machines in the four-part series RAW TO READY. From aircraft to big rigs to earth movers, venture deep inside factories and witness the hard work and craftsmanship necessary to build these incredible machines.

Uncover the hidden stories of human ingenuity that have transformed the earth’s most essential raw materials into monumental marvels of modern technology. Natural resources, critical moments in time and human ingenuity forge the world’s most awe-inspiring machines.

"Mack Truck" - The highway truck — a modern workhorse, a heavy hauler vital to commerce — carries an 80,000-pound payload and must operate in every condition from sub-zero cold to triple-digit heat. To survive, it must be strong, durable and fuel-efficient, like the Mack Pinnacle, an engineering achievement made possible by platinum, petroleum, copper, manganese and polyurethane.

Enjoy "Exploration Wednesdays" including new season of NATURE, NOVA Making Stuff…, and RAW To Ready, on KPBS-TV beginning at 8 p.m. October 16-Novemeber 6, 2013.

Mack Truck - Preview

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See how copper, petroleum, platinum, manganese and polyurethane create a strong highway truck.

Raw to Ready - Preview

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Explore the science, innovation and sheer genius it takes to transform the most basic ingredients into powerhouse machines.

Video

Exploration Wednesdays on PBS

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Above: Enjoy "Exploration Wednesdays" including new season of NATURE, NOVA Making Stuff…, and RAW To Ready, on KPBS-TV beginning at 8 p.m. October 16-Novemeber 27, 2013.

Loved the scientific view of the making of the Mack Pinnacle! My husband drove a Pinnacle, before the company bought new International's. Pinnacle was nice, but not enough space between top & bottom bunk for regular sized man to comfortably sit up in bottom bunk, plus an exterior wire routing issue caused wires to rub raw--twice in one year. I am so glad PBS presented such an interesting and informative program....Thanks! I drove OTR long ago. I thought it was a mistake on this program to say the frame would be pulling 80 tons. That's 160,000 pounds! Legally in most states, the max weight of entire rig is going ob 80,000 pounds---40 ton. Was that a mistake? If so it was repeated later in show. Did I catch a blooper? Still loved the presentation!